KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With ongoing concerns of possible violence ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri promised “to protect public safety and uphold the rule of law” Monday in a statement.
An FBI memo circulated last week warning of possible armed protests in conjunction with the inauguration on the heels of a deadly riot Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol during the Electoral College certification.
Missouri and Kansas officials said they were aware of the possible security concerns.
“My concern, as the chief representative of the U.S. Department of Justice in the Western District of Missouri, is not with peaceful rallies or responsible public expressions of opinion ... ,” Tim Garrison, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, said in a statement. “My determination to protect our Constitutional rights, however, is matched by my utmost respect for law and order.”
Garrison went on to say: “We will not tolerate violence, nor will we overlook criminal behavior. Those who cross the line from exercising their rights to violating the law will be held accountable for their actions and prosecuted accordingly.”
He added that “political disagreement is not a license to engage in domestic terrorism, to commit acts of violence, to harm or threaten others, to illegally trespass, or to break the law in any way.”
The FBI continues to seek information about the Capitol riot and the U.S. Department of Justice has already brought charges against dozens of alleged rioters.
“We must be vigilant against those who undermine our democratic ideals by engaging in criminal violence,” Garrison said in a statement.
Information about “real or potential threats of violence at any upcoming demonstrations or events” can be reported by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or by submitting a tip online.
Members of the National Guard from Missouri and Kansas have been deployed to Washington, D.C., to assist with security for Biden’s inauguration.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said 300 soldiers and airmen are being sent to Washington.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons announced Saturday that it is placing its facilities on a temporary lockdown “in light of current events” and “out of an abundance of caution.”
“There is no specific information that triggered this decision,” the Bureau of Prisons said in a statement. “This action is precautionary, and is not in response to any significant events occurring inside our facilities.”
The federal prison at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas confirmed to 41 Action News over the weekend that it is among the facilities impacted.
